RETHINKING RESOLUTIONS
We are entering a second year without Briella in it. It is not fair! I want life to be different than it is. Isn’t that what New Year’s resolutions are about? Wanting change and stetting goals to get there. Recently someone told me they dislike New Year’s resolutions. The reason...New Year’s resolutions tend to be self focused. Whoever thinks of others as part of the resolutions? I’m sure it happens. Briella wasn’t one to write/set New Year’s resolutions that I know of. We never focused on resolutions as a family. We did set goals for ourselves. Briella has lots of goals. As I think about New Year’s resolutions, I am reminded of Briella’s “Imagine” poem of sorts. She wrote it in fourth grade.
IMAGINE…
If I could …
Meet Gabby Douglas and work together. She could be my teacher, and I would learn from her. I could be the best. IMAGINE
If I could…
Help at least 5 people who need it, come to Jesus. IMAGINE
If I could…
Make a great drawing for the whole world to see. IMAGINE
IMAGINE
Imagine what heaven will be like with streets of gold and the tree of life, we’ll get to see all the Bible characters and ask what it was like to see, hear, and truly trust God. I bet it will be beautiful and lovely. We’ll get to see our family members and live forever.
Briella Welch, age 10
Briella’s poem reflects the things that are most important to her. Briella wasn’t just thinking of herself. Briella was always thinking of others. Recently I heard a sermon about the 3 things that last forever…God, His Word, and the souls of people. Briella was concerned about the souls of other people! She had eternity on her mind.
So, as I think about 2025, I’m stopping and imagining. The definition of imagine is “to form a mental image of (something not present) or to suppose.” Another word for imagine is dream. Briella dreamed of heaven, of helping people, of being well-known or famous, of being an artist and an Olympic gymnast and meeting people that she looked up to.
I’m spending more and more time imagining what heaven will be like. The Bible tells us it will be wonderful. Jesus will be there and there will be no sin, sickness, sadness, etc. Briella will also be there. Everything will be “made right.” I can’t wait for that day. I also imagine Briella’s Story continuing to make an impact, for God to use the journey we have walked for His good. We want to be an encouragement to others. I also imagine speaking to large groups about Briella’s Story. I want to continue to make Briella’s dreams come true. I want more and more people to come to know Jesus. I want more and more people to know about Briella and see her art. I want to make a difference in people’s lives.
Imagine…
If I could…
Share Briella’s Story on a bigger stage. IMAGINE
If I could…
Continue to help others deepen their relationship with God. IMAGINE
If I could…
Feel joy again. IMAGINE
Imagine if Jesus would come again and we could all just go HOME. IMAGINE
-Jodi Welch, 2025